It is because of studying photos like this one that I believe my coin has a legitimate shot at MS65 FSB. Here is an NGC Graded MS65 FSB http://coins.ha.com/c/item.zx?saleNo=1169&lotNo=9256#Photo Here is a PCGS Graded MS65 FSB http://coins.ha.com/c/item.zx?saleNo=1169&lotNo=5078#Photo
Your coin appears to have wear on the upper part of the hair on the obverse and a sratch on the cheek. Please get a better camera and re shot your photograph.
Now compare the above photos to these pics I took. I took the coin out of the 2X2. These are the best pics I could get.
These are the last 3 pics. The pics in this thread are the best I can do with the equipment I have. Yes, I agree my coin has a bagmark, or scratch on the cheek, but so do the NGC and PCGS graded ones I posted above. Thats why I believe ICG probably got it right on being an MS65 FSB. Its from comparing my coin to numerous slabbed PCGS and NGC coins on ha.com.
Sweetie, the slabbed dime has some surface markets. Yours has a bag mark, like a ding. Dimes are very sensitive. Things that yo can get away with on a Morgan, you can't get away with on a Merc.
BTW - you should be able to get a more expert opinion here than me. I have some knowledge, but we have truly expert merc people on this board. Ruben
My original impression was MS65 FB. I have seen nothing in the new photos that would make me change my mind. However, your photos are not great and what I wanted to see with a full coin photo was the impression of the luster. I still don't have any idea what the luster of this coin looks like. As Merc Crazy noted earlier, if the luster is not good enough, it might preclude an MS65 grade even if the surfaces are of MS65 quality.
Hello At least in these pictures, it does not look mint state. The first place a Liberty Head dime wears in the hair just below the cap and the upper wing area. It would seem from this picture, both areas have rub. Amanda
Ya know what, I'll offer to take some pics of the coin for free, same quality as my own pics, if you want to send it to me. Your call, I'll do it free of charge if you pay shipping both ways. I'll also give you my opinion on grade in-hand.
Ruben, I am not sure what you are trying to show but those two coins are not comparable. The 1942 is circulated, but nothing about the 1945-S screams circulated to me. The softness in the hair is weak strike not wear. As for the contact mark, one mark like that does not automatically preclude a gem grade. For a better comparison, take a look at this MS65 FB with a CAC gold sticker. There are several obvious contact marks on the focal area (fasces) of the reverse yet is considered a high grade MS65. There are luster grazes on the obverse as well. The significant difference between this coin and the OP's is luster. The grade of his coin is going to depend upon luster.
Paul - that coin nearly is full band on the reverse and front is a full wing. That is not soft strike, that is wear on the crown. Look at yours. Yours is much cleaner without any wear, and has a bag mark right on the cheek, and the rim dent. The graders aren't going to ignore that.